Guy lands top recruit

The Nelson family has a long tradition at Utah State University.

And Logan High School football standout Riley Nelson decided to continue that tradition when he announced his intent to play football for the Aggies.

“Everyone who plays football, has a dream of playing college football,” Nelson said. “It doesn’t matter where it is. I wanted to go wherever I could get a scholarship, and for that to work out at Utah State is something I’m really excited about.”

Nelson, who holds numerous football state records, announced his decision to play for Utah State Sunday night on KUTV’s “Talkin’ Sports.”

The main thing that influenced his decision was the attitude of the coaching staff at USU. He said he liked how positive the coaches were about the future of Aggie football.

“There’s a whole new face of USU athletics,” he said. “It’s a place where I wanted to go and I felt like it would be a perfect fit for me.”

Mike Favero, Nelson’s football coach at Logan High School, said Nelson’s decision to attend USU is a validation of sorts to what Utah State Head Coach Brent Guy has done with the football program.

Favero said Nelson has been an outstanding quarterback at Logan and will bring a strong work ethic and a high football IQ to USU’s program.

“I’ll bring whatever the coaches and my future teammates will ask of me,” Nelson said. “Whether it be leadership or athletic ability, I’ll just work hard and do whatever the team asks of me.”

Up until the night before he made his decision, Nelson said he was still debating. But he said he believes that in the future the Aggies will be contending for the WAC championship every year.

Nelson will grayshirt next season for the Aggies before serving an LDS mission. He will be back for the 2009 season. He will sign an official letter of intent with Utah State Wednesday.

-aedmunds@cc.usu.edu